Asian Giant Tortoise Breeding at Manipur Zoo:
The Manipur Zoological Garden (MZG), in partnership with the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP), has carried out the first successful artificial incubation of Asian Giant Tortoises (Manouria emys phayrei). A total of 28 hatchlings emerged from a single nest in 2025, marking a crucial step in protecting one of the world’s most threatened reptile species.
The Asian Giant Tortoise is the largest tortoise species in mainland Asia. It is,
Scientific name: Manouria emys phayrei
Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Native habitat: Northeast India (Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya) and parts of Southeast Asia
Threats: Habitat loss, hunting for meat, and illegal wildlife trade
